Clamp.



ALFRED J. THOMSON, OF CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.l

Application filed J une 2, 1908.

Patented pee.l 29, 190s.

serai No. 440,170.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED J. THOMSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Canton, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps, of which the following is a full and clear specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the clamp locked; and, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective clamp or toggle especially adapted for use in leather or hidestretching frames, this type of clamp being now well-known on the market; and to the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the parts and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accom anying drawing, forming a part of this speci ication, in which the same reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing by reference letters, a designates the base plate of the clamp which is provided with a hole b for attachment to the stretching cord and at its other end is bent downwardly on a curve to form the stationary aw c. The side edges of the plate a are bent downwardly at right angles to the plate to form the depending ears d, these ears being provided w1th coincident holes in which the pivots e of the clamp lever f are j ournaled.

The under or movable jaw of the clamp consists of a plate g lying on the under face of the main plate between the ears and having its rear end reduced to form a finger ZL. This finger Zt is offset upwardly and is passed upwardly through a longitudinal slot i in the main plate, the rear end of the finger being adapted to swing downwardly and abut against the upper side of the main plate when the plate g is clamped in place as shown in Fig. 1. The front end of the plate g is bent downwardly and upwardly to form a sort of hook j which is adapted to engage upwardly over the downwardly turned jaw c and clamp the leather against the lower edge of said jaw c thus forming a bight or crimp in the leather and hold it effectively against withdrawal from the clamp.

The clamp lever is peculiarly constructed. Describing it in its locking position it consists of a forwardly and upwardly extending part Zr, a rearwardly and upwardly extending part Z, and a downwardly and rearwardly extending part m, the lateral pivots e being located at the juncture of the two parts Zr and Z. The part m is simply used as a finger-piece to operate the lever. When the parts /c and Z are properly proportioned and angularly disposed to each other, the swinging up of the rear part of the lever will cause the forward edge of part Zr to exert a cam-like action against the down-turned hook of the movable jaw and force the movable jaw forwardly and upwardly to its clamping position, the manner of connecting this movable j aw by means of the bent finger ZL serving to permit the jaw a limited pivotal and sliding movement. When the locking lever is thus forced to its locking position the rear end of the arm f will abut against the under side of the plate g and thus lock the lever in position. To release the lever it is simply necessary to pry its rear end downwardly by means of the thumb-piece m as is evident.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a clamp, a base plate having depending ears and adapted at its rear end to be attached to a connection and having its forward end bent downwardly to form the stationary jaw of the clamp, the movable jaw consisting of a plate lying on the main plate and having its rear end offset upwardly and passed through a slot in the base plate and its forward end bent downwardly to form a hook adapted to engage over the stationary jaw, and a lock lever pivoted between the said ears and having an upwardly and forwardly bent part adapted to bear against the hook of the movable jaw and a rearwardly and upwardly bent part, for the purpose set forth.

2. A clamp consisting of a base plate having its forward end formed into a stationary jaw, said plate being provided with an opening and being adapted at its rear end for attachment to a connection, a movable jaw consisting of a plate lying on said main plate and having its rear end reduced and bent upwardly and passed through the aforesaid opening and its forward end bent to form a jaw, and a looking lever mounted on the base late. p 3. In combination, a base plate carrying a pair of ears and provided with a longitudinal slot near its rear end and with a stationary jaw portion at its forward end, a movable jaw plate lying on said base plate between said ears and having a movable connection therewith consisting of a reduced rear end this 4th day of June 1908.

ALFRED J. THOMSON.

Witnesses HARRY L. BRIGHT, ERNEST B. HALL, 

